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October 14, 2018

Scripture- Deuteronomy 5:21- “You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Observations- It's important for us to remember that the commandments of God serve as graceful limits, boundaries that lead to abundant life. God is saying to us, “Trust me on these things. If you follow my directions in these gracious limits, things really will go better for you. I’m not trying to make you miserable or load you up with tons of rules and regulations; rather I’m trying to help you avoid unnecessary pain and suffering through joyful obedience.” The 10th commandment reminds us not to intensely long for other people’s relationships, money, or belongings. Our deepest longings are to be directed toward a deeper connection with God, not toward other people’s stuff. God's desire is for us to learn how to be content with what we do have.

Application- If we fall into the trap of coveting, we will swell into our own selfishness and fail to more fully understand the ways we are created in the very image of God. Coveting isn't simply admiring what doesn’t belong to us. It’s about planning and plotting how we can get what looks so good that isn’t ours. King David, for instance, “coveted” Uriah’s wife well before he followed through on the act of adultery. Coveting is particularly dangerous, because it can lead us into sins we never imagined we could ever commit. Wanting more isn't the problem, but disregarding these gracious limits will damage our souls.

Prayer- Good morning, God! I thank You for all the ways You have richly blessed my life. Help me learn how to be fully content with whatever I already have, and help me remember that You are more than enough for me. I am grateful that You love to hear from me and that I have permission to ask and ask largely of You, so I pray for the deepest longings of my heart to be in line with what You want me to have. Don’t allow a spirit of coveting what isn’t mine to get a foothold in my life and damage my soul. Amen.

"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11b-13),